Transition-metal-free coupling reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with aldehydes catalyzed by tin hydride

Donor-acceptor cyclopropanes are useful building blocks for catalytic cycloaddition reactions with a range of electrophiles to give various cyclic products. In contrast, relatively few methods are available for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols through coupling of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) with aldehydes, even with transition-metal catalysts. Here, we report that the hydrostannation of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) was effectively promoted by dibutyliodotin hydride (Bu2 SnIH). The resultant allylic tin compounds reacted easily with aldehydes. Furthermore, the use of Bu2 SnIH was effectively catalytic in the presence of hydrosilane as a hydride source, which established a coupling reaction of VCPs with aldehydes for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols without the use of transition-metal catalysts. In contrast to conventional catalytic reactions of VCPs, the presented method allowed the use of several VCPs in addition to conventional donor-acceptor cyclopropanes.

Racemic total synthesis of dactyloidin and demethyldactyloidin through the dl-proline-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation/[4 + 2] cycloaddition cascade

An efficient approach towards the first racemic total synthesis of dactyloidin (2) and demethyldactyloidin (3) is described.

Yb(OTf)3 catalyzed [3 + 2] annulations of D–A cyclopropanes with β-oxodithioesters: a regioselective synthesis of tetrahydrothiophenes

An efficient approach to synthesis tetrahydrothiophenes was developed through the reaction of β-oxodithioesters and D–A cyclopropanes catalyzed by Yb(OTf)₃. This methodology was highly regioselective.

Lewis acid catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cross cycloadditions of cobalt-alkynylcyclopropane 1,1-diesters with carbonyls for construction of medium-sized and polycyclic skeletons

A Lewis acid catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cross cycloaddition of cobalt-alkynylcyclopropane 1,1-diesters with carbonyls has been successfully developed. Together with simple and efficient postcycloadditions of the cobalt-alkyne moiety, a general and efficient strategy for construction of structurally complex and diverse medium-sized skeletons and related polycycles was supplied successfully.

Stereospecific [3+2] cycloaddition of 1,2-cyclopropanated sugars and ketones catalyzed by SnCl4: an efficient synthesis of multi-substituted perhydrofuro[2,3-b]furans and perhydrofuro[2,3-b]pyrans

An efficient stereospecific [3+2] cycloaddition of 1,2-cyclopropanated sugars and ketones catalyzed by SnCl₄ is described.

Cyclization and annulation reactions of nitrogen-substituted cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes

This feature article covers recent progress in cyclization and annulation reactions of aminocyclopropanes and aminocyclobutanes to access nitrogen-rich building blocks.

1,3-Carbon D–A strategy for [3 + 2] cycloadditions/annulations with imines: synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidines and related alkaloids

[3 + 2] Cycloaddition/annulation: this article summarize the recent developments in synthesis of pyrrolidines and related alkaloids through complementary [3 + 2] cycloaddition/annulation of 1,3-carbon D–A precursors with imines.

AlCl3-promoted [3 + 2] annulation of cis-2,3-disubstituted cyclopropane 1,1-diesters with isothiocyanates: stereoselective synthesis of densely substituted 2-iminodihydrothiophenes

cis-2,3-Disubstituted cyclopropane 1,1-diesters were found to be much more reactive than their corresponding trans-isomers in the AlCl3-promoted [3 + 2]-annulations with isothiocyanates. The reaction with the cis-cyclopropanes proceeded to completion within minutes, providing a variety of densely substituted diastereomerically pure 2-iminodihydrothiophenes in moderate to excellent yields.

Catalytic enantiospecific [3+2] annulation of aminocyclopropanes with ketones

An almost familiar ring: The first enantiospecific [3+2] annulation of donor-acceptor aminocyclopropanes with ketones is reported (see scheme; Phth=phthaloyl). The reaction is catalysed by tin(IV) chloride (5 mol %) at -78 °C and gives aminotetrahydrofurans bearing a quaternary C5 atom in high yield, diastereoselectivity and enantiospecificity (see scheme).